To increase electronic prescribing (eScripts) and reduce paper prescribing Shenton Park General Practice completed a quality improvement (QI) activity led by Sarah Reely, Practice Manager, with support from Chloe Morris, Practice QI Coach at WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA).
“Over the three-month activity, we surpassed our initial target of a 10 per cent increase in eScripts, and eScripts are now the dominant method of prescribing at the practice. We’ve also had a surprising uptake of eScripts by older patients because they can use an Active Script List (ASL) to access all their active prescriptions at any participating pharmacy,” Ms Reely said.
The practice’s QI activity included adding an agenda item in clinical meetings about eScripts and ASL, championing the benefits to the practice team, and updating the resources in the waiting room to raise patient awareness.
“The increased use of eScripts and ASL has resulted in a range of benefits including improved workflow and efficiency for GPs and admin, improved environmental sustainability due to reduction in paper records, a reduction in lost prescriptions and increased patient satisfaction,” Ms Reely said.
For further information about eScripts and ASL, visit the Australian Digital Health Agency website or call Practice Assist on 08 6278 7900 or email practiceassist@wapha.org.au.